Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-12-14
A OPENING
-oF rssE--
NEW OPERA HOUSE.

home talent, and on Wednesday and
Thursday Of next week will present
to the Elk Point people in their ele-
CANT new Opera House, two first
class plays. On Wednesday even
ing will be presented the charming
Comedy, widow Hunt" or Every
body's Friend" and on Thursday
evening a popular drama, entitled,
"Driven from Home" or "a Faith
er's Curse" The company of home
talent who will produce these plays
to our people have been practicing
and rehearsing for several weeks,
and are prepared to render them al
most equal to the best of artists.
The Militia Company, who have
erected this fine Opera House in our
city, are deserving of much credit
for their enterprise, and the people
Of Elk Point, and the business men
especially, should take hold and see
that this formal opening Of the New
Opera House is a financial success
The company did not start out with
a full pocket, and now at the COM
pletion Of this splendid structure,
which will add so much to the ad-
vancement and prosperity of the
city, they are in debt some, and re-
ly upon our enterprising and pub
lie spirited citizens to help them out
on this occasion. The price for
these entertainments has been
placed at 35cts for general admis.
sion, Scots for reserved seats, private
box, 81 80 These are very reason
able prices for such an occasion and
our people should fill the new Opera
House to its fullest capacity on next
Wednesday and Thursday nights,
and give them a big send-off.
A brief description of the new
building and a mention of the origi-
majors and builders may not be out
of place here. About a year ago a
corporation was formed here with
the title of "The Elk Point Opera
House Company" There is a pro-
vision in the articles of Incorporation
which requires all stock holders to
be members of Co. D.. Cd Regt., D.
N. G., consequently the stock is
owned entirely by members of the
militia company. The officers of
the Opera House Company now are
CoToi serst. GG Oscar 1. BBilalfd,- rpHesii.
dent; Capt. A. D.. Keller, secretary;
and Lieut.. W. N. Vinson, treasurer.
The new Opera House Just COM
pleted is 1O0x34 feet on the ground
and is % feet from floor to ceiling.
The stage is % feet deep with the
opening in front 1Sx12 feet. There
are two private boxes, one on each
side, a capacity Of five or six per.
sons each. The parquet or audito
rium is 55x34 feet and seats $50
people comfortably. This is to be
seated with opera chairs. In front
you enter the building on the right
through two large folding doors,
which swing outward into a recess.
After passing these doors you enter
a hall 1Ox20 feet at the end of which
are two more doors through which
you enter the main auditorium. I'm
mediately to the left of the main
entrance is the ticket office through
which you can go to the parlor, or
reception room, which is 16x20 feet,
and also has an entrance to the main
floor. Just to the left of the doors
opening into the auditorium is q
broad flight of stairs which lead you
to the gallery. The gallery extends
from the front of the building %
feet where two wings circle out on
each side extending 80 feet further.
The gallery will seat $50 people,
which makes the sealing capacity OF
the building eco, although 200 more
could be quite comfortably slowed
away. The seats in the gallery are
placed upon raised platforms ex-
tending from the front back to the
walls.
The scenery for the stage was
made especially for this Opera
House by L. L. Graham, Of Kansas
City, Mo. There is . fine drop cur
tain with a beautiful painting in the
center surrounded with business
cards Of our merchants. There are
rs pieces Of scenery with II differ
ent changes and will cost about
$4OO 90.
The total cost of the building will
be about Sc COO. It is one Of the
finest apportioned Opera Houses in
the territory, and our citizens feel
proud of it.
While most Of the company have
lent q willing hand TO forward the
enterprise, the real credit for plan
ming and pushing the building to